PHIVOLCS lifts tsunami warning issued following strong Surigao quake

The Tsunami Warning raised following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Surigao del Sur late Saturday evening has been lifted, PHIVOLCS announced.

"Sea level monitoring stations confirmed the occurrence of tsunami with preliminary wave heights of 0.64 meter in Mawes Island, Hinatuan, 0.18 meter in Lawigan, Bislig City, 0.05 meter in Port of Dapa, Surigao del Norte and 0.08 meter in Mati, Davao Oriental," said PHIVOLCS in an advisory issued at 3:23 a.m.

"The last recorded tsunami wave arrival in the Philippines occurred at 02:52 AM (PST) at Hinatuan-Bislig Bay Station on Mawes Island. This means that the tsunami threat associated with this earthquake has now largely passed the Philippines," the agency added.

PHIVOLCS has canceled the warning and advised local government to assess the situation in their area.

"The local government of threatened coastal areas should take actions to assess the tsunami’s impact and accordingly inform and instruct the coastal population at risk," said the agency, underscoring that residents are to instruction of local officials.

"Boats at sea are still advised to follow instructions from the Coast Guard or appropriate port authorities as they safely return to the coast. This will be the final tsunami information issued for this event," said PHIVOLCS.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, at 10:37 p.m. on Saturday, PHIVOLCS said.

The earthquake, which was initially measured at magnitude 6.9, had a depth of 25 kilometers.

Its epicenter was located 30 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan town. — BAP/KG, GMA Integrated News